My Beautiful Duchess Wife

Chapter Fifty: Just Passing By

The northwestern border of the Dark Empire, starting from the Darkmoon City territory, has always encircled the southeastern edge of the Abyss. Therefore, the Crimson Demon territory, which is extremely close to Darkmoon City, is also situated on the edge of the Abyss, just like Darkmoon City.

Starting from Darkmoon City, you can quickly reach the Crimson Demon Territory by simply walking around the edge of the abyss.

At this point, after traveling for most of the day, they were less than a day's journey from the Crimson Demon's territory. However, the red moon slowly descended, and the world of the white moon returned. Even riding in their fiery chariots, they couldn't reach the Crimson Demon's territory before true darkness fell. Therefore, they had no choice but to find a place to camp.

The abyss near the Crimson Demon territory is quite different from the abyss near Darkmoon City. Almost no magical beasts suddenly appear on the roads there. And… if it weren't for the Prime Minister's serpent demon, such a beast tide would never have occurred.

However, to Lin Peng's surprise, his two entries into Darkmoon City yielded different results. The first time, he encountered a fire giant resembling a Balrog, and his fire magic and fire manipulation skills were almost entirely thanks to him.

The second time, while being chased, he entered the abyss. The black mist he encountered unexpectedly gave him a rather extraordinary ring. It possessed spatial properties, capable of holding at least a mountain's worth of items. It also had the added effect of fire poison, automatically imbuing any fire magic cast with some of that poison. Furthermore, it provided a protective shield capable of withstanding a fatal blow from a Demon Emperor-level expert, and… within its spatial properties lay a mountain of potions.

When Lin Peng returned and casually showed Angelina a bottle of potion, she almost screamed. It was a life-restoring potion! No matter the type of injury, as long as one wasn't dead, this potion would guarantee complete healing within an hour. Compared to this, the potion Shia had shown her was utterly worthless.

Of course, even Shia's potion was an extremely rare and difficult-to-obtain potion.

Thinking of this, Lin Peng hesitated for a moment, then touched the ring on his right index finger, silently gazing at the abyss less than three hundred meters away. Behind him, Nadas and a squad of soldiers had already begun setting up camp.

Leaning against the fiery warhorse, Medusa hesitated for a moment before suddenly asking, "You seem to have some doubts about the Abyss?"

Lin Peng paused slightly, then turned to Medusa, who was also looking towards the abyss, and nodded: "Yes, ever since I arrived in Darkmoon City, all my strength seems to be related to the abyss. From the so-called Flame Demon inheritance at the beginning, to now, encountering your teacher. But... speaking of which, what exactly is your teacher?"

Without saying much else, Medusa was also one of the Black Mist Master's subordinates. She should know something that I didn't, so I asked her about it.

Medusa hesitated for a moment, then her phoenix eyes widened: "My teacher isn't anything special, he is..." Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she immediately stopped speaking. She then looked coldly at Lin Peng: "I still don't understand why my teacher values ​​you so much."

"You value me?" Lin Peng froze, looking utterly dumbfounded.

Medusa chuckled mockingly, a graceful and seductive smile playing on her lips: "What do you think? Our teacher's poison fire is extremely potent. Moreover, his mastery of potions is unparalleled. Why send you instead of one of our brothers and sisters? Don't tell me you're more familiar with it... He's just deliberately making you do this to give you some life-saving items!"

After saying that, she turned her head away, ignoring Lin Peng completely. Staring blankly at the ring on his index finger, Lin Peng gave another bitter smile. It seemed he was being far too grateful to the fire giant.

The Firebird was capable of defeating the snake demon, so it's a bit odd that it suddenly taught him how to control flames upon seeing him! It seems like no reason is needed at all.

Looking into the abyss, he pursed his lips: "Just how many secrets are you hiding? Why don't you tell me all at once? Not strong enough? Heh. Then, how powerful must one be to truly know all the secrets?"

Lin Peng was muttering to himself, somewhat dazed, so much so that he didn't even notice when Nadas slapped him on the head.

With a sharp "smack," the pain jolted Lin Peng awake. Nadas slapped Lin Peng's head again: "Dinner's ready, come on over!" he said, smiling as he walked toward the roaring campfire.

The moonlight poured down, making the entire earth seem to glow white. Looking down into the abyss from a great height, one felt as if trapped in darkness. The entire abyss seemed to be enveloped in a peculiar kind of darkness.

The campfire crackled and popped, the firewood slowly bursting into flames. Lin Peng casually poked at the fire, looking somewhat bored. After dinner, they immediately went to rest. They could get up early tomorrow to head to the Red Demon territory, so after assigning the watchmen, everyone went to bed early.

It was midnight, and looking up at the round, white moon in the sky, Lin Peng felt a pang of homesickness. He gave a wry smile, poked at the nearly burnt-out firewood once more, and was about to stand up when a shadow beside him made Lin Peng instantly retreat more than ten steps.

Standing by the campfire was a strikingly handsome yet elegant man. He wore a long black robe, and his shirt and leather trousers appeared to be made of a special kind of leather. In the moonlight, they even faintly shimmered with a black sheen. His entire being exuded an air of both eeriness and elegance.

He seemed like a prince who had come from hell.

He warmed his hands by the campfire, then looked at Lin Peng with a smirk and said, "Am I that scary?"

Lin Peng was slightly taken aback, but the fire in his chest seemed to surge intensely in an instant. It wasn't a sign of danger; rather, it carried a sense of pleasure. He scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "Hehe...it's not scary. If you suddenly appeared beside me and tried to ambush me, I'd definitely be killed!"

The man's pale face tightened slightly, and he chuckled. A hint of interest flickered in his eyes, which seemed specifically designed to seduce women: "Hmm, not bad. You've reached the peak of the Demon King realm now. Heh, perhaps you'll break through soon. Hmm…you mean that guy with the poison mist?"

"what?"

Lin Peng didn't know who the poisonous mist was, but after a moment's thought, he immediately nodded. It must be referring to that black mist. It had given him a huge pile of potions, and somehow, due to some potion or something else, he had directly advanced in his cultivation.

Just then, a white light suddenly appeared beside the man. After a flash, Angelina stood next to Lin Peng, looking at the pale-faced, handsome, and eerily sinister man with some wariness.

His face, which wasn't very young, stiffened slightly, and he smiled, "The Dark Moon Clan? Hmm, not bad. At least, you're much better than your clansmen in terms of awakening. However, it seems that your power is being suppressed by something!"

The man didn't blame Angelina for her sneak attack, seemingly talking to himself. Meanwhile, Angelina carefully whispered an explanation: "Brother, I did pass through this person's body just now. But... it seems he can simply disappear!"

Lin Peng was startled. He had used his thermal senses to probe the area and simultaneously sensed that no one was there. It was as if they were just a cloud of air, like the black mist.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and turned to look at the tent: "Well, if there's nothing else, let's go! Hehe, it would be really bad if we woke up those two beauties!"

The man shook his head, snapped his fingers, and even the two fiery warhorses collapsed to the ground. Then, he stood up solemnly: "Today, besides coming to see you, I have something else to tell you!"

"What is it?"

Although Lin Peng's spark leaped merrily, he still handled it carefully. At least, he couldn't trust it too easily before he was familiar with it.

The man crossed one arm over his chest, rested the other on his chin, nodded, and said, "If you don't have a proper retreat plan, you'd better not go to the Crimson Demon Territory. At least... Jerry's eldest son has some designs on you. And... he might even kidnap that little duke. Heh... to be honest, Medusa's strength is somewhat passable. As for the others, if that little duke doesn't use the power of blood, they're all trash! Even you, without breaking through to the Demon Emperor level, are just a little guy to be slaughtered!"

"So what? Not going to the Crimson Demon Territory? To be honest, I don't want to go either. This time, I'm just accompanying someone. But why are they staring at me?" Lin Peng thought somewhat dejectedly. He wasn't exactly a beauty, so why would a man be interested in him?

The man chuckled sinisterly, his voice completely different from his demeanor and appearance: "How should I put it? Well, to be precise, it's because your identity as a descendant of the Flame Demon has been exposed. Heh... and the Jerry clan is actually a branch of the Flame Demon, a descendant of the Fire Demon clan. So, obtaining your blood will definitely bring us one step closer to the Flame Demon clan! Such a good thing will naturally attract their attention."

Lin Peng was startled. It seemed that very few people knew about his identity as the successor of the Flame Demon! What was going on now? Could it be that there was some spy planted by Shia's side?

However, looking at the man with the eerie smile, it seemed he wouldn't say anything.

"Well, if you want to go, you can. At least you can broaden your horizons. Hehe, maybe you'll even break through. But be careful, little one!" The man gave a strange laugh before his body slowly disappeared!

Lin Peng looked at the vanished man with some frustration and muttered to himself, "I came here for this one thing. In the end, it seems like I'm the one who has to go. What's going on?"

But the next second, the man's voice came again.

"I was just passing by, you don't have to listen!"

Chapter 51 Soldier? Or Thief?

Early the next morning, the convoy slowly set off towards the Crimson Demon Territory. However, seeing the energetic and still cold-faced Shia and the others, Lin Peng couldn't help but mutter, "We really didn't find them! But thinking about it, it was really dangerous. Just what level is that guy? He appeared without a sound. Even the Demon Emperor-level Medusa seemed to have been directly hypnotized and fallen into a deep sleep!"

He shook his head to clear his mind. Now that someone had warned him, he should at least come up with a proper escape plan! Otherwise, he wouldn't even know how he died. Besides, Jerry alone was someone they couldn't possibly handle.

At least, Lin Peng still didn't know how terrifying beings at the Demon Emperor level were. As for Demon Lords and Demon Gods... Lin Peng didn't dare to imagine them yet. Perhaps, they could cause mountains to collapse and the earth to shatter with a wave of their hand.

The newly risen crimson moon, like the morning sun of that world, radiated a faint warmth. Its gentle light felt exceptionally comforting. It's said that the Demon Realm didn't used to have a crimson moon.

The red moon appeared probably several thousand years ago, after a sudden, earth-shattering collision.

However, it is precisely the power of the Crimson Moon that has made the Demon Realm more stable now. At least, most people can eat their fill!

The Red Demon's territory was fast approaching, and the soldiers protecting the convoy remained steadfast at their posts, keeping a watchful eye on everything. They were terrified that some small monster might suddenly appear and disturb the adults inside the flaming chariots.

The rumbling of the wheels over the ground was exceptionally loud, punctuated by the occasional cries of various birds and beasts from the abyss not far away. Lin Peng sat outside the carriage, next to Nadas, who was driving the flaming chariot.

This time, he was put in charge of being a groom.

After stretching lazily out of boredom, he suddenly straightened up as if startled, staring intently in one direction. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his lips moved slightly, making soft, rhythmic sounds, as if counting something.

Nadas looked at Lin Peng with some confusion, wondering what had gotten into this guy this time. However, seeing Lin Peng's increasingly serious expression, Nadas seemed to realize that something was wrong!

"What happened?" he asked softly, his thick eyebrows furrowing slightly.

Lin Peng slowly opened his eyes and let out a long sigh: "Looks like we're in trouble. They seem to be some thieves. But... they're quite powerful! Tell the soldiers to prepare!"

Nadas moved his lips slightly, licking them lightly. After pulling on the carriage reins, he jumped down and ordered the soldiers to stand by. His blue eyes were now somewhat reddish.

Lin Peng's lips curled into a wry smile. Since his ascension to the Great Demon realm, Nadas hadn't really had a proper fight. However, this thief was no ordinary thief.

There were two Demon King-level experts alone. There were also as many as twenty other Great Demon experts. Surprisingly, none of these twenty-odd individuals were high-ranking demons! This situation surprised Lin Peng.

Is this group of thieves or a professional assassin organization? It seems the Shadow Empire's assassin organization is the most powerful in the demon realm. Once they've set their sights on you, there's really no escape.

Unless you have a master at the level of a Demon Emperor, and you also control the power of at least one territory.

However, after thinking about it, I didn't think he was an assassin. That kind of violent aura shouldn't be present on an assassin.

Shia and the other two slowly stepped out of the carriage. Looking at Lin Peng, who had also gotten off, she asked indifferently, "What happened?" Looking at the soldiers who were still standing casually, and Nadas with a bloodthirsty look on his face, Shia frowned her somewhat delicate brows.

Lin Peng chuckled and shook his head: "I don't know if they're thieves or assassins, they're just a mile ahead. They're heading this way, and they'll probably arrive soon. However, they're accompanied by two Demon King-level experts, and it seems they're also leading about twenty Great Demons!"

The explanation was very detailed, and both Medusa and Shia remained expressionless. However, Abel let out a heavy snort: "How do you know so much? Did you arrange this? Or are you trying to be a hero and save the damsel in distress?"

Lin Peng's lips twitched slightly, and he immediately began to admire the woman's imagination.

Just then, a cloud of dust billowed up from a hundred meters ahead of the convoy. It carried with it the howls of demonic beasts. Tall figures appeared within the dust, their bloodshot eyes fixed intently on the convoy!

Nadas's eyes widened, somewhat stunned. Just one glance revealed that most of them were roughly on par with his own strength. The few exceptions were either Great Demons, or… possessed the aura of a Demon King.

Having served under Eileen for so long, he was quite familiar with her demon-king-level aura.

Lin Peng shook his head helplessly and slowly walked to the front of the convoy: "Gentlemen, if they are thieves, then fight them directly. If they are just passing by, then... please go ahead!" As he spoke, he gestured very politely to the other side of the road.

The smoke and dust slowly settled back onto the ground, but the sight of those people on the road made Lin Peng tremble involuntarily.

Although they all appeared very tall and energetic, the entire group looked surprisingly thin, almost malnourished, with deep-set eyes.

"Leave rations or money!" the leader, riding a wolf-like beast with a single horn on its head, said coldly. He was arrogant, exuding a simple and straightforward air. The other warriors all rode magical beasts that resembled Azure Wind Wolves.

They stared at Lin Peng's convoy with a kind of hungry look, as if even the people were magical beasts.

Just as Abel was about to rush forward and wreak havoc, Shia grabbed her arm. Medusa, on the other hand, gave Abel a cold look. Abel immediately took a step back, looking somewhat aggrieved, and obediently looked at Angelina standing beside her.

Lin Peng's lips curled into a smile as he slowly walked forward. He stopped when he was only twenty meters away from the group. The leader of the one-horned blue wind wolves narrowed his eyes, his already deep-set eyes now appearing as terrifying as a truly bloodthirsty beast.

However, Lin Peng still maintained a rather natural expression.

"If it's relief, we'll give it. But... if it's robbery! Hmph..." He let out a heavy, cold snort, as if his entire body was ablaze with anger. And indeed, his whole body was indeed engulfed in flames.

With a sudden stomp of the ground, the flames seemed to leap into the air. Hissing, the flames quickly coalesced into a gigantic fire giant. A tail-like flame coiled around Lin Peng's body, seemingly protecting him as well.

"I don't like being bullied, so... how about a one-round showdown! But..." He glanced again at the thief squad, whose discipline was far better than that of soldiers, their eyes filled with longing as they looked at the convoy, their spirits seemingly unwell for days.

Lin Peng gave a wry smile: "Whether you win or lose, I will give you some food and money! Well, if you are men, you should accept it, it's a way for us to make friends!"

The thieves exchanged surprised glances. Their leader slowly rode out on his one-horned blue wind wolf, stopping about ten meters from Lin Peng. He then said in a low, hoarse voice, "We are men, but if I lose, I won't take a single thing from you. Hmph... at least we won't be so spineless!"

The leader seemed to speak coldly, and at the same time, a resolute glint appeared in the eyes of the thieves. Lin Peng smiled slightly and nodded. His expression began to turn serious; at the very least, this leader was definitely a peak-level Demon King.

The leader drew his sword from his waist and slowly raised it above his head: "Arthur, accept your duel!" Then, suddenly, his arm jerked: "Honor!"

Behind them, the thieves all drew their swords and raised them high above their heads as if they had gone mad: "Glory!"

The unified shout even made the fire giant tremble. At the same time, the soldiers behind it all took a step back. With such morale, they looked more like soldiers than thieves.

A glint of shrewdness seemed to flash in Shia's eyes. He coldly swept his gaze over his soldiers, then shook his head slightly.

Lin Peng was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter: "Lin Peng, I hope this time I can have a good fight! Hahaha..." As he spoke, he clenched his fist and suddenly swung it at Arthur.

The fire giant in mid-air suddenly opened its eyes, and its massive flaming fist slammed towards Arthur. There was no flourish, no hesitation. And Arthur, in turn, saw a flash of bloodshot light in his eyes.

In an instant, the Unicorn Azure Wind Wolf seemed to vanish as if teleported. Immediately afterward, Lin Peng, beneath the Flame Giant, raised both hands, and a flaming battle blade appeared between them with a loud clang.